Trump: NATO members committed to stronger alliance

(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, July 12 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump said Thursday that NATO member states have made commitment to increase their defense spending, which will make the 29-member Alliance stronger. "The commitments were made for 2 percent (of GDP) but it is going to be slightly higher. After the 2 percent we will talk about the higher level. I think 4 percent is alright," he told a press conference at NATO headquarters on the second and final day of the NATO summit. Their commitment will increase NATO defense spending by USD 33 billion, he noted. "So we made a tremendous progress today. Yesterday I let them know that I was extremely unhappy but after they have increased, their commitment I am very happy and we have a very strong NATO. Stronger than it was two days ago," he said. Trump said that in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on Monday he would raise the issues of Syria, Ukraine and Russia's meddling in the region. "Putin is neither a friend nor an enemy. He is a competitor," stressed Trump. Replying to questions on the Middle East and Afghanistan, he said the US wants "peace all over the world." (end) nk.gta